INFORMATION PACKET - regarding the vocation of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World Prepared by the: United States Association of Consecrated Virgins 300 West Ottawa Street Lansing, Michigan 48933-1577 [email protected] revised 09/01/2011 © 2011 USACV Information Packet on the Vocation to Consecrated Virginity for Women Living in the World TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page Introductory Remarks 1 I Definition of Consecrated Virginity according to Canon 604 General Definition 2 What is the Consecration of Virgins? , anonymous 4 The Consecration of Virgins: What it is and what it should do , excerpts, Fr. Paschal Botz, OSB 5 Consecration of Virgins , excerpts, Fr. Paschal Botz, OSB 9 Some Elements of Consecrated Virginity , Fr. Harold, OSB 18 Consecration of Virgins , Fr. Bernard Sause, OSB 20 Mary in our Lives as Consecrated Virgins , anonymous 21 Bridal Spirituality of the Consecrated Virgin , St. Bruno and Fr. Romano Guardini 23 A Comparison of the Consecration of Virgins Living in the World with Religious Profession 28 Archbishop Burke’s conference at Information Retreat, June 14, 1997 29 Lex orandi, lex credendi , Archbishop Raymond L. Burke’s conference at the International Congress-Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins, Rome, May 2008 36 Consecration of Virgins , Fr. Bernard Hwang, STD 60 II The Rite The Rite from the Roman Pontifical 72 Canon 604 85 The Vocation and Mission of Consecrated Virgins according to Ordo Consecrationes Virginum , Most Rev. Pierre Raffin, OP 86 Sample “Preparation Process” documents: Introduction 97 Application Form 99 Reference Form 102 Procedures 105 The Diocesan Bishop 107 The Candidate 109 Frequently Asked Questions 111 Sample of Consecration certificate 117 Diocesan Options 119 III Discernment Virginal, Feminine, Spousal Love for Christ, Judith M. Stegman, consecrated virgin, conference at the International Congress-Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins, Rome, May 2008 120 Autobiography commentary 135 Spiritual Direction, prepared by Carol Lankford, consecrated virgin 136 Maturity and Consecrated Virginity 139 Consecrated Virginity Requires the Integrated Person , excerpts, by Dr. Magalis Aguilera, consecrated virgin and clinical psychologist 141 How Do I Discern the Call to Consecrated Virginity? 144 What Attitude Should I Have? 146 Discernment, Proper Attitude, Fruitfulness of Consecrated Virginity 148 What are the essential insignia of the vocation? 150 What is meant by "sacred person"? 153 What intention should the consecrated virgin have? 155 How can I make it to the finish line? 157 IV History Time line 160 Summary of René Metz’ Consecration of Virgins in the Roman Church 161 Anne Leflaive, 1899-1987 consecrated virgin living in the world in early 20th century 174 “Recent Historical Reflections” from Liturgical Week (Proceedings) 1957 176 V Fathers of the Church on Consecrated Virginity St. Ambrose 178 St. Athanasius 182 St. Augustine 185 St. Cyprian 187 St. Gregory of Nyssa 188 St. Jerome 191 St. John Chrysostom 193 St. Leander 196 St. Methodius of Olympus 199 St. Nicetas of Remesiana 207 Pseudo-Clement of Rome 208 VI Current Documents Holy Virginity , by Pope Pius XII 211 Vita Consecrata, Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, 1996 233 Introduction of consecrated virgins to Pope Benedict XVI at International Congress-Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins, Rome 2008, Maria Luisa Oefele (original in German) 314 Address of Pope Benedict XVI to Consecrated Virgins, International Congress- Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins, Rome 2008 315 The Consecrated Virgin Lives and Manifests the Wedded Love of the Church for Christ” by Fr. Ignazio Maria Calabuig, given in Rome, June 1995 317 May Christ Be Your Total and Exclusive Love by Pope John Paul II, given in Rome, June 1995 333 Consecrated Virgins for Today’s Church , by Sr. Sharon Holland, IHM 336 VII Frequently Asked Questions Most Rev. Raymond L. Burke, first Episcopal moderator of USACV 350 VIII Prayer and Work in the Life of a Consecrated Virgin Basic Prayer Life of the Consecrated Virgin 356 Testimonies by consecrated virgins 358 The Prayer Life of the Consecrated Virgin 371 IX Diocesan Bishop and the Consecrated Virgin Spiritual Bond 374 X Brief References 376 XI United States Association of Consecrated Virgins 382 XII Additional Reading and Bibliography 383 Introductory Remarks This Information Packet is designed to aid spiritual directors/preparation coordinators in their guidance of consecrated virgins and candidates for the Consecration of a Virgin living in the world, according to Canon 604. It is understood that candidates for the Consecration of a Virgin would have a sound knowledge of the Catholic faith as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a foundation and accept and live their Catholic faith daily. An understanding and healthy growth throughout the process of human development from infancy to adulthood is fundamental to maturity. Only mature women should be considered for the Consecration of a Virgin living in the world. Growth in the spiritual life, especially in prayer, has its foundation is psychological maturity. To have a clear idea of what the Consecration of a Virgin is, implies a study of its basis in Sacred Scripture, the writings of the Fathers of the Church, historical studies of the Rite itself and of virgin and virgin/martyr saints, theology, papal documents and the teaching of the Magisterium. The Catholic Encyclopedia, “Virginity,” can be read as an introduction to this study. This Information Packet is merely a teaching/study aid in which to start a thorough preparation for the Consecration of a Virgin living in the World. 1 rev. 3/31/2006 Definition of Consecrated Virginity according to Canon 604 What is the Consecration of a Virgin? The Consecration of a Virgin is one of the oldest sacramentals in the Church, and one of the fruits of Vatican II was the restoration of this profound blessing on virgins living in the world. The promulgation of this restored Rite for laywomen was on 31 May 1970. Through this sacramental, the virgin, after renewing her resolve of perpetual virginity to God, is set aside as a sacred person who belongs only to Christ. The acting agent in the Consecration is God Himself who accepts the virgin's promise and spiritually fructifies it through the action of the Holy Spirit. This sacramental is reserved to the bishop of the diocese. The consecrated virgin shares intimately in the nature and mission of the Church--she is a living image of the Church's love for her Spouse while sharing in His redemptive mission. The consecrated virgin living in the world embodies a definitive vocation in itself. She is not a quasi-Religious, nor is she in a vocation that is in the process of becoming a Religious institute or congregation. Nevertheless, she is a consecrated person, with her bishop as her guide. By virtue of the Consecration, she is responsible to pray for her diocese and clergy. At no time is her diocese responsible for her financial support. The consecrated virgin living in the world, as expressed in Canon 604, is irrevocably "consecrated to God, mystically espoused to Christ and dedicated to the service of the Church, when the diocesan bishop consecrates [her] according to the approved liturgical rite." The consecrated virgin attends Mass daily (if possible), prays the Divine Office, and spends much time in private prayer. She can choose the Church-approved spirituality she prefers to follow. Supporting herself by earning her own living, the consecrated virgin is not obliged to take on any particular work or apostolate. Usually, consecrated virgins in the United States volunteer their time to their local parish, diocese, or Church-sponsored association. Some volunteer their time also in civic responsibilities. Who can be consecrated? A woman living in the world who has never married or lived in open violation of chastity, and who by age, prudence, and good character is deemed suitable for dedicating herself to a life of chastity in the service of the Church and of her neighbor may petition her bishop to receive the Consecration. She must be admitted to this Consecration by her local Bishop; it is he who determines the conditions under which the candidate is to undertake a life of perpetual virginity lived in the world. Usually, a woman who aspires to the Consecration works with a spiritual director and has lived a private resolve of perpetual virginity for some years before seeking the Consecration of a Virgin. It is understood that this consecrated state of life cannot be dispensed. 2 rev. 3/31/06 In addition, the Church has never stated an upper age limit for a virgin to receive the Consecration. It is understood that a woman aspiring to the Consecration of a Virgin is able to support herself by work or pension or independent means and has provided financially for her medical care. A woman aspiring to the Consecration should be practicing her faith. She accepts the teaching of the Church and Sacred Scripture, with a readiness and capacity for personal growth. She should be able to give herself totally to God and the Church. Approved by Most Rev. Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis and Episcopal Moderator of the Consecrated Virgins in the United States 3 rev. 3/31/06 WHAT IS THE CONSECRATION OF VIRGINS? [reprinted with permission From the Archives of St. Benedict’s Convent, St. Joseph, Minnesota -- no author given] The word “consecrate” in the English language has many meanings, but its most proper meaning is the technical and theological one employed by the Catholic Church to designate a person, place, or thing dedicated to God forever by special rites and ceremonies performed by a person who has the power and jurisdiction to consecrate. The power to consecrate (outside the Consecration at Mass) is proper only to bishops, who have the fullness of the priestly office and who enjoy ecclesiastical jurisdiction.